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IRON HORSE 2026
Convention Information
The Sunshine Region of the NMRA invites you to our new convention home at the Ocala Hilton in beautiful Ocala Florida, known as The Horse Capital of the World®, for Iron Horse 2026!
Enjoy numerous hands-on activities, clinics, op sessions, contests, meet and greet, fellowship and more. The convention will run from 4pm Thursday October 15, 2026 to Saturday October 17, 2026, 11pm (or when the banquet breaks up).
If you've never been to an op session or are a seasoned pro we will have time to train the newbies and let our pros have at it. If you are new to op sessions and have been curious to what its all about then this is the place for you!
We think you will agree the Board has worked hard to bring more to our convention and to increase the quality, while being mindful of the cost. Now it's up to you to come out and have some fun and fellowship. Let's celebrate our hobby together!!
Things To Do
There's something for everyone in Ocala/Marion County. Come to the convention early or stay longer to take
advantage of all the things there are to do. Please click the logo or link to see the vast listing and descriptions that this area has to offer as well as day trips and scenic drives! Also, please stop by and say hi to Rob at Rob's Hobby World @ 8585 SW HWY 200, unit 14 in Ocala. Rob has been a long time supporter of this region. He's closed on Sundays so try and stop by on your way in on Thursday.
Convention Hotel - Hilton Ocala
The convention hotel is the Ocala Hilton located off of I-75, exit#350 (see the map/directions above). All activities are now under one roof. No more traveling back and forth to the college. This also provides you the opportunity to go to and from your room should you need a break, nap or
just need some alone time. The hotel offers free parking, an onsite restaurant, bar, outdoor pool and more. I think you will find it is a vast improvement from our previous venue. The room rate per night is $149 and you can make your reservations NOW as this rate wont last long, only thru 9/15/26 or until our allotment of rooms runs out. Rooms are limited so make your reservation today!!
Planned Room Use
Saratoga - Clinic Room
Belmont - How to Clinics
Keenland - Clinics
Aqueduct - Judging/Raffle
Pimlico - Clinics
Arlington - TBD Clinics
Monmouth & Laurel -
Op Sessions
Santa Anna/Delmar-Banquet
LOBBY
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Convention Awards Banquet
Our awards banquet will be held Saturday October 17th at 6pm. The banquet will be a buffet style dinner serving:
Fruit and Nut salad: strawberries, grapes, candied pecans, feta cheese,
mixed greens with a champagne vinaigrette
Grilled flank steak served with herbed demi
Seared chicken with wild mushroom sauce
Quinoa salad with roasted vegetables and herb vinaigrette
Fresh seasonal vegetables
oven roasted garlic potatoes
Goat Cheese Risotto
Creme Brule Cheesecake served tableside
Rolls and butter
along with assorted tea and coffee
Iron Horse 2026 Banquet Speaker
Florida East Coast Railway Operations & Memories on Film
The Convention Banquet's Guest Speaker to be determined.
​The banquet will include a featured speaker, issuance of awards and, of course, our fun raffle. Seating is limited.
Convention Clinics
We listened to our survey responses from our last convention. We are still working on lining up clinics/hands on clinics.
The official clinic schedule will be furnished closer to convention time. We will post an early listing of clinics as we get that finalized.
CALL FOR CLINICIANS
With more clinic times available to us we need more folks to step up and share their knowledge and skills with the rest of us. You know you have that little trick for ballasting, making roads or that nifty backdrop. TEACH and SHARE with your fellow members. If you are interested in sharing your knowledge and expertise with others please contact Jeff Guzowski "Ski" at: Cell (954) 401-0804 or email at JGuzowski@Bellsouth.net
Online Reservation
We are now ready to take registrations for this year’s convention.
One location for all activities, more how-to clinics, on site op session and op session training! – you do not want to miss this, and a much lower registration cost!
Register NOW! Our registration process is easier then previous years while only showing a very modest increase. If youve spoken to folks that attended last year you know how great of a time everyone had and we were able to hold the hotel pricing the same as last year!! All in all you do not want to miss it!
Thank you and hope to see you !!
Where to Eat
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